I Favor The Villainess Chapter 57

Chapter 57
Before the holidays

Before the holidays, the atmosphere on the streets as we walk through them is somehow agitated .
Sunlight is getting so strong at last I can feel it’s summer .

“Where are we going?”

That’s what my beloved Claire-sama asked .
As Claire-sama is under the parasol I’m holding, I absolutely won’t allow even a little bit of her skin to tan .

“Before the holidays, I have to take care of a minor business”
“A minor business?”
“It’s truly trivial . How should I say… I want to prevent a trouble”
“I do not understand well”

Unable to understand, she tilted her head .
Yes, immensely lovely .

“At any rate, what kind of turn of events is this? To accompany me on my personal business”

My outing today is completely a personal matter .
I absolutely didn’t expect Claire-sama to say she wants to come along .

“… Nothing really . There is no special meaning . Somehow I wanted to feel the wind outside”

Saying so, Claire-sama turned away in a huff .
Huh?
Is she in a bad mood?

“But, Claire-sama, don’t you usually dislike heat and hate being exposed to sun”

Even with parasol, heat is heat .
Not to mention, the extremely selfish Claire-sama willingly exposed herself to sunlight .

“Ne・ver・mind・that! Hurry up and finish your business!”
“Haa…”

I don’t quite understand the mood today .
Claire-sama is whimsical like a cat, so maybe she also has days like these .
As for me, I greatly appreciate that I can spend more time with Claire-sama, so without brooding over it any further I switched to thinking about enjoying my time with her .

“We’re already there… It’s here”

Saying so, I stopped walking in front of a building .

“Tulu company…? Do you need to buy something?”

Reading the signboard with the store’s name, Claire-sama asked .

“No, that isn’t the case . I just need to have a little talk with the proprietor here”
“Hmph…? Well, very well . If we have to enter, let’s enter quickly . It is unbearably hot here”
“That’s why if you had stayed at the academy――”
“Qui・ck・ly”
“Yes”

Chasing after Claire-sama who promptly entered the store, I also got in .

“Welco… me!? We, well well, Claire-sama . What kind of business brings you to a place like this… . ?”

Seeing Claire-sama’s figure, the good-natured old shopkeeper became fl.u.s.tered .
His name is Hans-san .
He’s a skilled merchant and the only person managing this Tulu company .

Hans-san’s confusion is understandable .
While Tulu Company isn’t a small company, it’s by no means big .
Unlike low and middle n.o.bility, it should rarely receive high n.o.bles like Claire-sama .

“It is not me who has business here . Hey, Rei . Finish your business quickly”

When she sank into a sofa in the corner of the store that’s used for business discussions, Claire-sama said so seemingly uninterested .
She’s not doing anything other than looking around the store’s interior .

“Good day, Hans-san”
“Hey, Rei-chan . I was surprised . Isn’t it the first time you came here with Claire-sama?”
“Yeah . I heard she was in the mood for it today”

Like that, I exchanged greetings with Hans-san .
He’s a good-natured old man that usually has a gentle air about him .
However―― .

“So, Rei-chan . What kind of profitable scheme did you bring today?”

Saying so, Hans-san’s expression changed from that of a gentle person to that of a merchant .

Hans-san and I actually go back a long way .
As a matter of fact, he’s a merchant character who sold items in the game .
In this life, he’s a broker responsible in various ways for my connection with Blume .
He provides me with the necessary ingredients for Blume’s new recipes, as a reward he’s become Blume’s supplier .
That’s why, for him it seems like me coming to his store equals bringing a profitable scheme .

“I’m sorry, but today I came to crush a profitable scheme instead”
“Ha?”

Hans-san made a blank face .
I continued .

I continued .

“It’s just a possibility, but I believe I’ve heard rumors of Hans-san having a certain magical tool”
“Hm? What’s this about?”

Hans-san tilted his head .
Feigning ignorance for the time being, it’s as expected of a merchant .

“There’s no point feigning ignorance . The effect of that magical tool is . Revive the dead… Am I wrong?”
“… Well, I didn’t expect to be outwitted by Rei-chan”

Affirming the magical tool’s effect, he raised his hands in surrender .
Since I’ve brought profitable schemes based on the game knowledge before too, I must appear like a prophet to Hans-san .

“I’ve certainly heard about it . As it’s not a cheap good, I’ve been thinking a little more whether to stock up on it or not”
“That magical tool, please give it up”
“… Can I hear the reason?”

With a twitch of his eyebrow, Hans-san asked .
Well, obviously .
A merchant wouldn’t give up a profitable scheme without a reason .

“That magical tool is a sham”
“… How can you tell?”
“I cannot tell you the reason why I know the truth . But, if you get on this scheme, Hans-san will suffer a heavy loss”
“… Hmm”

His tone sounded affirmatively, however Hans-san showed he’s pondering about my baseless words .

That magical tool is as a matter of fact a tool that turns dead into undead, a lower n.o.ble who bought it from Hans-san used it .
As a result, a cemetary where daughters of n.o.bles sleep was turned into a nest of undead, n.o.bles’ fury caused Hans-san to lose all dealings with n.o.bles .
It’s involved in the Undead Hunt in the game, but because it’s always better if such a disaster doesn’t happen I came here to strike down this flag .

“If it was anyone else, I’d drive them anyway, but because it’s Rei-chan, who has never been wrong, saying this… But…”
“Of course, I won’t tell you to simply give up . I have another profitable scheme”
“… I thought so”

Hans-san meaningfully smiled .

“Soon, the demand for weapons and armor will greatly increase . It’s also something that can’t be made public”
“! Isn’t it peaceful . Will a war start?”

Hans-san looked at imploringly .

“It won’t be war, but something close”
“… You won’t tell me the basis?”
“Yeah, whether to believe or not is up to Hans-san”

That said, I’m gambling on Hans-san getting on it .

That said, I’m gambling on Hans-san getting on it .
Hans-san seemed to ponder for a while, but eventually he let out a large sigh and―― .

“I got it . I’ll give up on the magical tool . But, at least tell me this”
“What do you need?”
“That demand which can’t be made public, is it okay if I supply it?”

Hans-san looked at me with sharp eyes .
He’s testing me .

“You should as a merchant . As a person… It depends on Hans-san’s political beliefs”
“… Hmm”

After I endured Hans-san staring at me, he spoke in a voice like he’s more or less convinced .

“Very well . If it’s unavoidable, it’s a chance for a merchant to profit”

Hans-san’s expression slackened .
Apparently, I more or less pa.s.sed Hans-san’s test .

“Even so… Rei-chan, who in the world are you? Every single time it’s like you can see the future”
“As I said before, I won’t comment on that”
“I guessed so . But, be careful, Rei-chan . If I was a man who would do anything for profit, I wouldn’t hesitate to kidnap and confine you”

Hans-san smoothly said a frightening thing .

“I think you’re aware I’m a Dual Caster”
“Of course I don’t think I could do it alone . Nevertheless, I could hire people or prepare a sealing magical tool, there are many ways to do that”

Certainly, you could say that .

“Well, shall I leave threatening at that . But, don’t forget . You have that much value . Like this, it’s easy to attract various disasters”
“… I’ll take it to heart”
“Then I’ll see you off”

Saying so, Hans-san smiled at me .

“Is your business finished?”

Realizing the talk between me and Hans-san came to an end, Claire-sama called out to me .

“Yeah, for now . Hans-san, I’ll excuse myself”
“Yeah, come again”
“Claire-sama, let’s go back”
“Gokigen’you”

Following Claire-sama, I left the store .

“There is still quite some time before the curfew . I am hungry”

Following Claire-sama, I left the store .

“There is still quite some time before the curfew . I am hungry”
“When we return to the dormitory, should I make something?”

Holding the parasol, I responded to Claire-sama .

“… Insensitive”
“Yes?”
“It was nothing . Yes yes, let’s go back . I do not mind going back!”

Saying so sulkily, Claire-sama immediately started briskly walking .

“Claire-sama, you will get sunburnt”
“That’s fine, such a thing!”
“It’s not good . What would happen if a blemish appeared on Claire-sama’ pearly skin”

I hurriedly caught up with her and shaded her with the parasol, this time Claire-sama stopped abruptly .

“… If that happened, would you dislike me?”
“That’s impossible”

It’s a sudden question with an unknown context, but I immediately replied .
No, because it really is impossible .

“I see… Hmph…”

For some reason Claire-sama made a complicated face .
What’s up with Claire-sama today .

“Claire-sama, aren’t you somehow strange today?”
“Whose fault do you think it is!”
“Eeeeh…”

She lashed out at me .
No, I really don’t understand what she meant .

“Let’s return quickly! When we return, make crème brûlée!”
“Haa…”

As far as I can tell from her expression, for now her mood is fixed .
I don’t get the reason at all, but well, it’s because she’s Claire-sama .

“… But, it is a rare outing”
“Did you say something?”
“Rei you idiot, is what I said!”

She pulled her eyelid down and stuck out her tongue .
I don’t know the reason, but Claire-sama is cute as ever .

Before the holidays Before the holidays, the atmosphere on the streets as we walk through them is somehow agitated . Sunlight is getting so strong at last I can feel it s summer . Where are we going That s what my beloved Claire sama asked . As Claire sama is under the parasol I m holding, I absolutely won t allow even a little bit of her skin to tan . Before the holidays, I have to take care of a minor business A minor business It s truly trivial . How should I say I want to prevent a trouble I do not understand well Unable to understand, she tilted her head . Yes, immensely lovely . At any rate, what kind of turn of events is this To accompany me on my personal business My outing today is completely a personal matter . I absolutely didn t expect Claire sama to say she wants to come along . Nothing really . There is no special meaning . Somehow I wanted to feel the wind outside Saying so, Claire sama turned away in a huff . Huh Is she in a bad mood But, Claire sama, don t you usually dislike heat and hate being exposed to sun Even with parasol, heat is heat . Not to mention, the extremely selfish Claire sama willingly exposed herself to sunlight . Ne ver mind that Hurry up and finish your business Haa I don t quite understand the mood today . Claire sama is whimsical like a cat, so maybe she also has days like these . As for me, I greatly appreciate that I can spend more time with Claire sama, so without brooding over it any further I switched to thinking about enjoying my time with her . We re already there It s here Saying so, I stopped walking in front of a building . Tulu company Do you need to buy something Reading the signboard with the store s name, Claire sama asked . No, that isn t the case . I just need to have a little talk with the proprietor here Hmph Well, very well . If we have to enter, let s enter quickly . It is unbearably hot here That s why if you had stayed at the academy Qui ck ly Yes Chasing after Claire sama who promptly entered the store, I also got in . Welco me We, well well, Claire sama . What kind of business brings you to a place like this . Seeing Claire sama s figure, the good natured old shopkeeper became fl.u.s.tered . His name is Hans san . He s a skilled merchant and the only person managing this Tulu company . Hans san s confusion is understandable . While Tulu Company isn t a small company, it s by no means big . Unlike low and middle n.o.bility, it should rarely receive high n.o.bles like Claire sama . It is not me who has business here . Hey, Rei . Finish your business quickly When she sank into a sofa in the corner of the store that s used for business discussions, Claire sama said so seemingly uninterested . She s not doing anything other than looking around the store s interior . Good day, Hans san Hey, Rei chan . I was surprised . Isn t it the first time you came here with Claire sama Yeah . I heard she was in the mood for it today Like that, I exchanged greetings with Hans san . He s a good natured old man that usually has a gentle air about him . However . So, Rei chan . What kind of profitable scheme did you bring today Saying so, Hans san s expression changed from that of a gentle person to that of a merchant . Hans san and I actually go back a long way . As a matter of fact, he s a merchant character who sold items in the game . In this life, he s a broker responsible in various ways for my connection with Blume . He provides me with the necessary ingredients for Blume s new recipes, as a reward he s become Blume s supplier . That s why, for him it seems like me coming to his store equals bringing a profitable scheme . I m sorry, but today I came to crush a profitable scheme instead Ha Hans san made a blank face . I continued . It s just a possibility, but I believe I ve heard rumors of Hans san having a certain magical tool Hm What s this about Hans san tilted his head . Feigning ignorance for the time being, it s as expected of a merchant . There s no point feigning ignorance . The effect of that magical tool is . Revive the dead Am I wrong Well, I didn t expect to be outwitted by Rei chan Affirming the magical tool s effect, he raised his hands in surrender . Since I ve brought profitable schemes based on the game knowledge before too, I must appear like a prophet to Hans san . I ve certainly heard about it . As it s not a cheap good, I ve been thinking a little more whether to stock up on it or not That magical tool, please give it up Can I hear the reason With a twitch of his eyebrow, Hans san asked . Well, obviously . A merchant wouldn t give up a profitable scheme without a reason . That magical tool is a sham How can you tell I cannot tell you the reason why I know the truth . But, if you get on this scheme, Hans san will suffer a heavy loss Hmm His tone sounded affirmatively, however Hans san showed he s pondering about my baseless words . That magical tool is as a matter of fact a tool that turns dead into undead, a lower n.o.ble who bought it from Hans san used it . As a result, a cemetary where daughters of n.o.bles sleep was turned into a nest of undead, n.o.bles fury caused Hans san to lose all dealings with n.o.bles . It s involved in the Undead Hunt in the game, but because it s always better if such a disaster doesn t happen I came here to strike down this flag . If it was anyone else, I d drive them anyway, but because it s Rei chan, who has never been wrong, saying this But Of course, I won t tell you to simply give up . I have another profitable scheme I thought so Hans san meaningfully smiled . Soon, the demand for weapons and armor will greatly increase . It s also something that can t be made public Isn t it peaceful . Will a war start Hans san looked at imploringly . It won t be war, but something close You won t tell me the basis Yeah, whether to believe or not is up to Hans san That said, I m gambling on Hans san getting on it . Hans san seemed to ponder for a while, but eventually he let out a large sigh and . I got it . I ll give up on the magical tool . But, at least tell me this What do you need That demand which can t be made public, is it okay if I supply it Hans san looked at me with sharp eyes . He s testing me . You should as a merchant . As a person It depends on Hans san s political beliefs Hmm After I endured Hans san staring at me, he spoke in a voice like he s more or less convinced . Very well . If it s unavoidable, it s a chance for a merchant to profit Hans san s expression slackened . Apparently, I more or less pa.s.sed Hans san s test . Even so Rei chan, who in the world are you Every single time it s like you can see the future As I said before, I won t comment on that I guessed so . But, be careful, Rei chan . If I was a man who would do anything for profit, I wouldn t hesitate to kidnap and confine you Hans san smoothly said a frightening thing . I think you re aware I m a Dual Caster Of course I don t think I could do it alone . Nevertheless, I could hire people or prepare a sealing magical tool, there are many ways to do that Certainly, you could say that . Well, shall I leave threatening at that . But, don t forget . You have that much value . Like this, it s easy to attract various disasters I ll take it to heart Then I ll see you off Saying so, Hans san smiled at me . Is your business finished Realizing the talk between me and Hans san came to an end, Claire sama called out to me . Yeah, for now . Hans san, I ll excuse myself Yeah, come again Claire sama, let s go back Gokigen you Following Claire sama, I left the store . There is still quite some time before the curfew . I am hungry When we return to the dormitory, should I make something Holding the parasol, I responded to Claire sama . Insensitive Yes It was nothing . Yes yes, let s go back . I do not mind going back Saying so sulkily, Claire sama immediately started briskly walking . Claire sama, you will get sunburnt That s fine, such a thing It s not good . What would happen if a blemish appeared on Claire sama pearly skin I hurriedly caught up with her and shaded her with the parasol, this time Claire sama stopped abruptly . If that happened, would you dislike me That s impossible It s a sudden question with an unknown context, but I immediately replied . No, because it really is impossible . I see Hmph For some reason Claire sama made a complicated face . What s up with Claire sama today . Claire sama, aren t you somehow strange today Whose fault do you think it is Eeeeh She lashed out at me . No, I really don t understand what she meant . Let s return quickly When we return, make cr me br l e Haa As far as I can tell from her expression, for now her mood is fixed . I don t get the reason at all, but well, it s because she s Claire sama . But, it is a rare outing Did you say something Rei you idiot, is what I said She pulled her eyelid down and stuck out her tongue . I don t know the reason, but Claire sama is cute as ever .